Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy Romo West and other local groups will draw attention to the issue of homelessness in Milwaukee County and the need for County funding for the homeless shelter system by spending the night in Clarke Square Park beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 8 and running until 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 9.
Romo West and community groups will build a tent/cardboard box city to draw attention to homelessness in Milwaukee County and to appeal for funding in the County budget for homeless shelters. They will also collect warm clothing for the homeless and served hot coffee and soup to those in need.
“Even though we in Milwaukee suffered through one of worst winters in history last year, there were no reports of the homeless freezing to death thanks in part to the extra funding provided by the County Board to support homeless shelters in Milwaukee County,” Romo West said. “This is something we should all be mindful of. Winter is a terrible time to be homeless in Wisconsin. For the County Executive to remove funding from the 2015 budget for homeless shelters is shameful, and that’s why the County Board will work to restore funding.
“We are willing to sleep outside to draw attention to the problem of homelessness and work to correct the County Executive’s removal of homeless shelter funding in his budget.”
Supervisor Romo West will be joined by members of Faithbuilders Church; LAMA Milwaukee; Milwaukee Mixtecas; Diamond Gurlz Milwaukee; Las Señoritas Lulac Council #1600 6; ALIVE and AFSCME District Council 48. The Spanish Journal, Lopez Bakery and Cat Daddy’s Too were proud sponsors of the event.
“Ending homelessness in Milwaukee County will be a community-wide effort, and I’m hopeful that this particular community effort will be a success, not only in drawing attention to the problem, but in helping to clothe and feed the homeless,” Romo West said.
